When you are only 1.65m (5’4″) tall, you have to work extra hard, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb is proof that hard work pays off.
The skillful winger made a name for himself at Al Ahli, before cementing his place in the national team starting lineup and moving to Riyadh this season to join Al Nassr. “I was five years old when I first I fell in love with football,” Abdulrahman Ghareeb says, “and now to be able to wear the Saudi national team shirt and play for my country, it is a very proud feeling.”
As someone who embodies the ideas of fair play and a never-say-surrender attitude, he has not let his success change him. “I have learned that I play for our nation and now everyone is counting on me, I cannot let them down.”
ESQ: What does it mean for you to be playing for the Saudi National Team?
It is something wonderful to represent the kingdom in such an International events, it makes us feel proud when we wear the Saudi national team jersey.
ESQ: What was the moment you remember falling in love with football?
When I was five years old, I fell in love with the football. Afterwards, my father took me to the Al Ahli FC club academy, and the journey started from there.
ESQ: What makes the football culture so unique and special in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi, everyone talks about football all the time, everywhere! It is the most popular sport in the country and has been for decades. People are so passionate about it.
ESQ: Who are your footballing heroes?
My hearos are the Saudi football players who left a golden footprint and legacy in the Saudi football.
ESQ: Do you have a favourite World Cup moment?
The moment that we officially qualified for the World Cup in Qatar is a moment I will never forget.
ESQ: What have you learnt from playing for the Saudi National Team?
I have learned that I play for our nation, then I accept the responsibility that everyone will be counting on me.
ESQ: In the upcoming World Cup, what would you consider a successful tournament?
We are in a tough group. Because we are drawn against Argentina, we are going to face the GOAT, Lionel Messi. However, we will work hard and work together to succeed and go as far as we possibly can in this World Cup
ESQ: What message would you like to leave on the footballing culture of the KSA?
That I played fair and that I never surrendered.